So...30 days is finished!! Yay!!
Day 28 was some burlesque aerobics - totally fun! I learned how to swerve my hips, tease with a fan dance, let my feather boa linger and shake my booty. The Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society puts on different burlesque exercise classes on Mondays at the Chicken Coup! If you want more info, let me know and I will gladly get it for you.
Day 29 was volleyball - fun as always. Mr. Negative was there again, and again as soon as he left, a weight lifted and I played much better. One of my favourite players wasn't playing last night...but he showed up halfway through and watched because his friends were still playing. He is one of my favourite players because he makes it fun - we all laugh so much when he's on the court with us!
Last but not least, Day 30 was personal training with my super awesome trainer Nick! I was way more well-behaved than last week, and we got back to kickboxing! SO MUCH FUN!!
So now that its all said and done, what is next for La Femme Vocale? Capoeira! At least that is what I'm thinking for now. I'm not sure when I will get a chance to start this, but if I can find an intro class that isn't too expensive and runs on Monday nights...I'm set! What else is next? Just keeping up the good work! I'm not going to work out every day - its been such a stress thinking about it as much as I have been thinking about it. But incorporating exercise and healthy things into my daily routine as much as possible is something I totally think I can at least try to do.
And I'm keeping the blog! I'll try to post more often...not sure if anyone is actually reading this though. If you are THANK YOU!! :)
E.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Home stretch...
I am almost done!
Day 20 was just some work in the warehouse...it was nice and light.
Day 21 was where I really really really started to get frustrated. I had a workout with my trainer Nick, who is still awesome, but I melted down. I absolutely broke down and started crying in the middle of my session. It was so frustrating for me to feel that vulnerable when I was trying to strength train.
Day 22 was much better. I got to play volleyball! I was the only girl in a gym full of guys...kinda awesome, except that I had to run for the ball pretty often...lol Oh well, its good for me, right?
Day 23 was a lot like Day 21 - more frustration, bad workout, more crying...I admitted to Nick that I just wasn't having fun with it anymore. He replied saying it was hard work. Yes, I understand that it is hard work, I've stuck with it since the beginning of May, haven't I? But this was the first time that I really felt like I wasn't having fun anymore. We haven't done kickboxing for so long and I keep telling Nick I'm ready, but something gets in the way of us doing kickboxing. I'm so tired of doing just weights. I can do the weights, the squats, the lunges and all the non-fun stuff when I get to hit something for a few minutes...is that bad?
Day 24 was nothing. I had work and then school and just couldn't do any more after that.
Day 25 was a whole lot of running around. I had a computer problem so I had to rush down to my brother's office, he made a call, then I rushed over to Yaletown to pick up a part, back up to my place, quick change and out to help set up for a fundraiser that was to take place on Day 26.
Day 26, I worked all day at my weekend job and then headed right to the fundraiser where I got to run around all night raffling tickets, selling merchandise, selling balloons, being an auction runner - I was home by midnight.
Day 27 I was up early and in to work, where I spent the day in the warehouse, and then was out to my parents house for dinner with the family. So it was a light day.
So how is the rest of my 30 days going to look? Day 28 will be some me time at the gym, no trainer, Day 29 will be volleyball and Day 30 will be a personal training session with Nick. And only 3 days total were missed...3, right?
I think one less thing on my plate stressing me out will definitely be a good thing. As much as I have learnt about myself and what my body is capable of with this challenge, it has been hard. It has been on my mind on a daily basis and has driven me crazy.
More in a few days... :)
Day 20 was just some work in the warehouse...it was nice and light.
Day 21 was where I really really really started to get frustrated. I had a workout with my trainer Nick, who is still awesome, but I melted down. I absolutely broke down and started crying in the middle of my session. It was so frustrating for me to feel that vulnerable when I was trying to strength train.
Day 22 was much better. I got to play volleyball! I was the only girl in a gym full of guys...kinda awesome, except that I had to run for the ball pretty often...lol Oh well, its good for me, right?
Day 23 was a lot like Day 21 - more frustration, bad workout, more crying...I admitted to Nick that I just wasn't having fun with it anymore. He replied saying it was hard work. Yes, I understand that it is hard work, I've stuck with it since the beginning of May, haven't I? But this was the first time that I really felt like I wasn't having fun anymore. We haven't done kickboxing for so long and I keep telling Nick I'm ready, but something gets in the way of us doing kickboxing. I'm so tired of doing just weights. I can do the weights, the squats, the lunges and all the non-fun stuff when I get to hit something for a few minutes...is that bad?
Day 24 was nothing. I had work and then school and just couldn't do any more after that.
Day 25 was a whole lot of running around. I had a computer problem so I had to rush down to my brother's office, he made a call, then I rushed over to Yaletown to pick up a part, back up to my place, quick change and out to help set up for a fundraiser that was to take place on Day 26.
Day 26, I worked all day at my weekend job and then headed right to the fundraiser where I got to run around all night raffling tickets, selling merchandise, selling balloons, being an auction runner - I was home by midnight.
Day 27 I was up early and in to work, where I spent the day in the warehouse, and then was out to my parents house for dinner with the family. So it was a light day.
So how is the rest of my 30 days going to look? Day 28 will be some me time at the gym, no trainer, Day 29 will be volleyball and Day 30 will be a personal training session with Nick. And only 3 days total were missed...3, right?
I think one less thing on my plate stressing me out will definitely be a good thing. As much as I have learnt about myself and what my body is capable of with this challenge, it has been hard. It has been on my mind on a daily basis and has driven me crazy.
More in a few days... :)
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Past the Point of No Return!
I am officially past the point of no return! The halfway mark has been reached!
So what have I learnt so far? This challenge so far has shown me how to come up with creative ways to get some physical exercise every day. Whether it be shopping at a grocery store that is not as convenient as your usual grocery store, walking the long way home, properly scheduling time at the gym (outside of personal training no less!) or playing volleyball at the community centre, I have found many ways to get more active. I have always loved vigorous exercise; I've just been too lazy to actually implement it into my life.
As you know, Day 14 was personal training with my fantabulous trainer, Nick! We got back into some more high impact stuff because my knee was feeling better. I was squatting, lunging and thrusting my way through the workout, and boy did my legs feel it for at least 3-4 days afterwards.
Day 15 was volleyball at the Coal Harbour Community Centre. I brought along a friend who hadn't played volleyball in a long time, and we laughed so much while we played. I was starting to think the European guys thought we were crazy. I worked up a fairly good sweat too! I am hoping to make this a regular thing with my friend, so long as she is up for it. 'Cept I'm gonna have to teach her to stop shutting her eyes and cowering when the ball comes towards her...
Day 16 was personal training again with Nick! More higher impact things, and my knee was still doing great! I am looking forward to *hopefully* doing some kickboxing again this coming week. I really really really miss kicking and punching Nick. He takes it so well. And it really helps me work out my aggressions.
Day 17 didn't go the way I had planned it. I brought my gym gear with me to work and subsequently to class after work, but by the time class was over I was too tired and starving, so I just walked home. I walked at a very brisk pace (as I normally do...I just like going as fast as I can) and the walk took 15 minutes.
Day 18 was a half hour work out at the gym after work. It really got me energized and pumped and ready for the evening ahead!
Day 19 was some work in the warehouse at my weekend job and some walking to gastown and all over downtown during the evening/night going to various karaoke venues with a friend of mine. I normally would have taken a cab to each spot, but because I knew I didn't get a work out in, I forced myself to walk. I wasn't wearing heels, so I felt definitely more inclined to do so. Plus (for those who might say, "Hey, wait a minute, it was Saturday night...") I wasn't drinking, so none of the benefits of doing all the walking got cancelled out in any way. Actually I have stopped drinking all together...at least for a while. But that is a whole other post which I might post later.
Today is day 20. I am doing some more work in the warehouse today. I am also planning on perhaps hitting the gym tonight or at least going for a walk around the neighbourhood...I haven't decided.
I have also been thinking about what I am going to do to reward myself once this is all done. The challenge in itself is the reward in one way because of how energized I feel, and how much I love integrating exercise into my daily life. However some sort of treat (a new purse or jacket perhaps?) would feel good as well. I'll have to think on it a bit still.
So what have I learnt so far? This challenge so far has shown me how to come up with creative ways to get some physical exercise every day. Whether it be shopping at a grocery store that is not as convenient as your usual grocery store, walking the long way home, properly scheduling time at the gym (outside of personal training no less!) or playing volleyball at the community centre, I have found many ways to get more active. I have always loved vigorous exercise; I've just been too lazy to actually implement it into my life.
As you know, Day 14 was personal training with my fantabulous trainer, Nick! We got back into some more high impact stuff because my knee was feeling better. I was squatting, lunging and thrusting my way through the workout, and boy did my legs feel it for at least 3-4 days afterwards.
Day 15 was volleyball at the Coal Harbour Community Centre. I brought along a friend who hadn't played volleyball in a long time, and we laughed so much while we played. I was starting to think the European guys thought we were crazy. I worked up a fairly good sweat too! I am hoping to make this a regular thing with my friend, so long as she is up for it. 'Cept I'm gonna have to teach her to stop shutting her eyes and cowering when the ball comes towards her...
Day 16 was personal training again with Nick! More higher impact things, and my knee was still doing great! I am looking forward to *hopefully* doing some kickboxing again this coming week. I really really really miss kicking and punching Nick. He takes it so well. And it really helps me work out my aggressions.
Day 17 didn't go the way I had planned it. I brought my gym gear with me to work and subsequently to class after work, but by the time class was over I was too tired and starving, so I just walked home. I walked at a very brisk pace (as I normally do...I just like going as fast as I can) and the walk took 15 minutes.
Day 18 was a half hour work out at the gym after work. It really got me energized and pumped and ready for the evening ahead!
Day 19 was some work in the warehouse at my weekend job and some walking to gastown and all over downtown during the evening/night going to various karaoke venues with a friend of mine. I normally would have taken a cab to each spot, but because I knew I didn't get a work out in, I forced myself to walk. I wasn't wearing heels, so I felt definitely more inclined to do so. Plus (for those who might say, "Hey, wait a minute, it was Saturday night...") I wasn't drinking, so none of the benefits of doing all the walking got cancelled out in any way. Actually I have stopped drinking all together...at least for a while. But that is a whole other post which I might post later.
Today is day 20. I am doing some more work in the warehouse today. I am also planning on perhaps hitting the gym tonight or at least going for a walk around the neighbourhood...I haven't decided.
I have also been thinking about what I am going to do to reward myself once this is all done. The challenge in itself is the reward in one way because of how energized I feel, and how much I love integrating exercise into my daily life. However some sort of treat (a new purse or jacket perhaps?) would feel good as well. I'll have to think on it a bit still.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Time for an Update!
Time for an update, I suppose!!
Day 9 found me at the gym with my trainer Nick. We decided to let my knee have a little bit more time to heal and did the circuit training but with a bit of a twist. Tried some new exercises and felt quite spent once I was done.
Day 10 I had class right after work. Thankfully it was a short introductory class, so I just hit the gym afterward. I'm getting accustomed to working out later at night, so I may just continue to hit the gym after class on Thursdays. I did a half hour of cardio - 10 minutes on the elliptical, 10 minutes on the bike and 10 minutes doing a walk/jog on the treadmill. Ran into Nick on the way out of the gym and he commented on the amount of sweat pouring off me. Yup, I had just gotten off the treadmill and running makes me sweat the most. He looked proud. :D
Day 11 was a bit of a light day. I took the day off from work and didn't really do much of anything. In the evening, however, I took a walk down to Yaletown to meet a friend for coffee. He offered to drive me home and I said no, I would walk, and I did. Like I said, a light day.
Day 12 I had to get up early to go down into Coal Harbour for a Reiki treatment. It was my first Reiki treatment, and it was awesome. Every spot on my body where I had an injury got a more intense flow of heat/energy. I sweated quite a bit during the treatment, and the Reiki Master told me that is because of the amount of toxins in my body. She suggested I take it easy for a bit afterwards and drink lots of water so that it would help the toxins leave my body more. So I did. Later in the day I took a walk to a grocery store that is out of my way to do some grocery shopping. 15 minute walk up hill there and 15 minute walk home with grocery bags home.
Day 13 (yesterday) I didn't work again! I know, three days in a row! For my exercise I walked down to English Bay to chill with a friend for a bit and walked home. I was planning on doing a bit of the seawall while I was down there, but didn't plan it properly and was starving by the time we left the beach, so I had to head straight home to eat something.
Today is day 14 and I have personal training tonight. I'm looking forward to it! Enough posting for me for now - time for breakfast! :)
Day 9 found me at the gym with my trainer Nick. We decided to let my knee have a little bit more time to heal and did the circuit training but with a bit of a twist. Tried some new exercises and felt quite spent once I was done.
Day 10 I had class right after work. Thankfully it was a short introductory class, so I just hit the gym afterward. I'm getting accustomed to working out later at night, so I may just continue to hit the gym after class on Thursdays. I did a half hour of cardio - 10 minutes on the elliptical, 10 minutes on the bike and 10 minutes doing a walk/jog on the treadmill. Ran into Nick on the way out of the gym and he commented on the amount of sweat pouring off me. Yup, I had just gotten off the treadmill and running makes me sweat the most. He looked proud. :D
Day 11 was a bit of a light day. I took the day off from work and didn't really do much of anything. In the evening, however, I took a walk down to Yaletown to meet a friend for coffee. He offered to drive me home and I said no, I would walk, and I did. Like I said, a light day.
Day 12 I had to get up early to go down into Coal Harbour for a Reiki treatment. It was my first Reiki treatment, and it was awesome. Every spot on my body where I had an injury got a more intense flow of heat/energy. I sweated quite a bit during the treatment, and the Reiki Master told me that is because of the amount of toxins in my body. She suggested I take it easy for a bit afterwards and drink lots of water so that it would help the toxins leave my body more. So I did. Later in the day I took a walk to a grocery store that is out of my way to do some grocery shopping. 15 minute walk up hill there and 15 minute walk home with grocery bags home.
Day 13 (yesterday) I didn't work again! I know, three days in a row! For my exercise I walked down to English Bay to chill with a friend for a bit and walked home. I was planning on doing a bit of the seawall while I was down there, but didn't plan it properly and was starving by the time we left the beach, so I had to head straight home to eat something.
Today is day 14 and I have personal training tonight. I'm looking forward to it! Enough posting for me for now - time for breakfast! :)
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Little bit of a hiccup...
So day 5 and 6 went alright - I have a weekend job that can be physical at times, and I did some core work as well, so I say that counts. Sunday night I went out with a couple friends to a house party and had a few beer. It hit me harder than I thought, so Monday was a complete write off. I slept until 2 pm (apparently my body needed it?!?!?) and then felt like crap for the 10 hours I was awake before going to bed again.
I woke up this morning just absolutely livid with myself. How could I slip only 7 days in?!?! It made me think that I was not cut out to make goals for myself. I feel like every goal I make for myself I fail miserably at. Its why I don't set resolutions at new years - just another way to let myself down. But something like this?? Why?
A friend told me that I should not be so hard on myself, that its only a day, and to just keep going and forget it happened. Her words "It was a day, not a week". True, but I wanted to work out for 30 days straight. I feel like a complete failure for not having been able to do that. Another friend threatened to impale me if I were to ever call myself that again. Well...fine, I will try not to. But unfortunately it is a word in my vocabulary.
So today was day 8, and I think it was the most fun so far. I played volleyball at the Coal Harbour Community Centre. For the most part it was good. There were faces there that I recognized from last season, and a whole bunch of new faces. It will be interesting to see what the turn out will be like next week. I already have 2 friends confirmed that they are going to join me for volleyball next week, so that will be fun. I've never played volleyball with either of them before, so it will definitely be interesting. The part that kind of sucked was this old guy who kept acting as if he was trying to coach us. Wouldn't have bothered me if he did it in a positive way. But he was condescending about it, and when I questioned doing three on three (we had enough to have 1 six on six game, why split it into 2 three on three games??) he said "Oh, it will be good cardio for you, give you some exercise." Maybe I was feeling a bit sensitive, but I totally took this the wrong way, and said "I'll have you know I exercise on a daily basis." He didn't say anything to that. But he kept trying to tell me how to play...it wasn't positive. I was glad when he just abruptly left the game. Then a guy who was sitting on the sidelines because of an injury (golf apparently?) joined us, and it was awesome! He learned our names, encouraged us...he was obviously way above us in skill, but he didn't rub it in, and really cheered us on no matter what. I became a better player within 10 minutes because of the change in energy.
So tomorrow is day 9, and I have personal training with my super awesome trainer Nick! Looking forward to that! I feel so good after I exercise.
E.
I woke up this morning just absolutely livid with myself. How could I slip only 7 days in?!?! It made me think that I was not cut out to make goals for myself. I feel like every goal I make for myself I fail miserably at. Its why I don't set resolutions at new years - just another way to let myself down. But something like this?? Why?
A friend told me that I should not be so hard on myself, that its only a day, and to just keep going and forget it happened. Her words "It was a day, not a week". True, but I wanted to work out for 30 days straight. I feel like a complete failure for not having been able to do that. Another friend threatened to impale me if I were to ever call myself that again. Well...fine, I will try not to. But unfortunately it is a word in my vocabulary.
So today was day 8, and I think it was the most fun so far. I played volleyball at the Coal Harbour Community Centre. For the most part it was good. There were faces there that I recognized from last season, and a whole bunch of new faces. It will be interesting to see what the turn out will be like next week. I already have 2 friends confirmed that they are going to join me for volleyball next week, so that will be fun. I've never played volleyball with either of them before, so it will definitely be interesting. The part that kind of sucked was this old guy who kept acting as if he was trying to coach us. Wouldn't have bothered me if he did it in a positive way. But he was condescending about it, and when I questioned doing three on three (we had enough to have 1 six on six game, why split it into 2 three on three games??) he said "Oh, it will be good cardio for you, give you some exercise." Maybe I was feeling a bit sensitive, but I totally took this the wrong way, and said "I'll have you know I exercise on a daily basis." He didn't say anything to that. But he kept trying to tell me how to play...it wasn't positive. I was glad when he just abruptly left the game. Then a guy who was sitting on the sidelines because of an injury (golf apparently?) joined us, and it was awesome! He learned our names, encouraged us...he was obviously way above us in skill, but he didn't rub it in, and really cheered us on no matter what. I became a better player within 10 minutes because of the change in energy.
So tomorrow is day 9, and I have personal training with my super awesome trainer Nick! Looking forward to that! I feel so good after I exercise.
E.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Friendship
Friendship is knowing that no matter how much time passes before you are able to talk to each other, for whatever reason, things will feel just as comfortable as the last time you spoke and it will feel as if no time has passed at all.
Friendship is knowing that you can call your friend at any hour of any day for any reason.
Friendship is knowing you can say anything without being judged by your friend.
Friendship is wanting your friend to succeed and do well for themselves, no matter how far it might take them away from you.
Friendship is giggling until all hours of the night over the stupidest things.
Friendship is that text you get when someone knows you're going into a situation where you may not be all that comfortable, and they're checking up on you to see if you're ok.
Friendship is being able to stand up to your friend and tell them when they are being an idiot, but still loving them if they continue to harm themselves.
Friendship is getting all bull-doggy when you see your friend getting picked on, upset, disrespected, etc., and not letting it go down without a fight.
Friendship is being able to sit in silence for hours, and knowing things are still ok.
Friendship is that secret language you have where you can communicate with just a look, or a small hand gesture.
Friendship is irreplaceable. Your friends are the family you get to choose.
This isn't a copy and paste post. Some of these ideas have been said before by other people in different words. These ideas came from my head, through my hands and into my computer. Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments section. What is friendship to you?
E.
Friendship is knowing that you can call your friend at any hour of any day for any reason.
Friendship is knowing you can say anything without being judged by your friend.
Friendship is wanting your friend to succeed and do well for themselves, no matter how far it might take them away from you.
Friendship is giggling until all hours of the night over the stupidest things.
Friendship is that text you get when someone knows you're going into a situation where you may not be all that comfortable, and they're checking up on you to see if you're ok.
Friendship is being able to stand up to your friend and tell them when they are being an idiot, but still loving them if they continue to harm themselves.
Friendship is getting all bull-doggy when you see your friend getting picked on, upset, disrespected, etc., and not letting it go down without a fight.
Friendship is being able to sit in silence for hours, and knowing things are still ok.
Friendship is that secret language you have where you can communicate with just a look, or a small hand gesture.
Friendship is irreplaceable. Your friends are the family you get to choose.
This isn't a copy and paste post. Some of these ideas have been said before by other people in different words. These ideas came from my head, through my hands and into my computer. Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments section. What is friendship to you?
E.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Day Four!
Today is day four! Here is the rundown of the week so far:
Day one, I took the long way home and did a 45 minute walk on the seawall and into the westend.
Day two, I had personal training with my absolutely freakin' awesome trainer, Nick! This consisted of just some circuit training we've been doing for the past 3 weeks to allow my knee to heel properly. I do 15 lb. bent over rows, leg extensions (to strengthen the quad muscles to help my knee), ball crunches, bench push ups, thrusters, interval training on the elliptical, the plank (my longest is a minute)...I feel like I'm forgetting something. Anyway, we go through that 3 times, and then I'm done for the night. Next week I think (hope...) we are getting back to the more high intensity stuff - kickboxing, jogging, lunges and squats...I think my knee is better.
Day three, I hit the gym after work and did 30 minutes of cardio, plus some leg extensions to get those quads burning.
Day four, thats today, I went to the gym and did 45 minutes of cardio - 20 minutes on the elliptical, 15 minutes on the bike and 10 minutes on the treadmill. I started jogging again, and my knee felt ok!
So I'm keeping it up!
Day one, I took the long way home and did a 45 minute walk on the seawall and into the westend.
Day two, I had personal training with my absolutely freakin' awesome trainer, Nick! This consisted of just some circuit training we've been doing for the past 3 weeks to allow my knee to heel properly. I do 15 lb. bent over rows, leg extensions (to strengthen the quad muscles to help my knee), ball crunches, bench push ups, thrusters, interval training on the elliptical, the plank (my longest is a minute)...I feel like I'm forgetting something. Anyway, we go through that 3 times, and then I'm done for the night. Next week I think (hope...) we are getting back to the more high intensity stuff - kickboxing, jogging, lunges and squats...I think my knee is better.
Day three, I hit the gym after work and did 30 minutes of cardio, plus some leg extensions to get those quads burning.
Day four, thats today, I went to the gym and did 45 minutes of cardio - 20 minutes on the elliptical, 15 minutes on the bike and 10 minutes on the treadmill. I started jogging again, and my knee felt ok!
So I'm keeping it up!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Day One - SUCCESS!!
Day One of the 30 Day Fitness Challenge was a success!! I finished work and took the "long way" home - down Howe, on to the seawall, on to Denman and up into the Westend. It took me 45-50 minutes. But it made me realize I need a couple things:
1-a better bag that is wearable while I exercise. The one I have is alright, but it doesn't fit quite right around the bust. I need something that is more adjustable I think;
2-new shoes! I got a blister today because my shoes are wearing out.
Overall though, day one was a success!
1-a better bag that is wearable while I exercise. The one I have is alright, but it doesn't fit quite right around the bust. I need something that is more adjustable I think;
2-new shoes! I got a blister today because my shoes are wearing out.
Overall though, day one was a success!
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